A Highland ferry was evacuated on Thursday amidst a bomb scare.
MV Hebrides, which shuttles between Uig on Skye, Lochmaddy on North Uist, and Tarbet on the Isle of Harris, ground to a halt over fears of a suspicious package onboard.
The package was discovered shortly before 5pm between Uig and Tarbert.
Ferry operator CalMac took to Twitter to confirm all scheduled sailings were cancelled due to an emergency onboard.
❌ RED #Uig #Tarbert #Lochmaddy 21Jul Due to an onboard emergency and awaiting emergency services, all remaining sailings are cancelled. There will be an update provided for service on Friday 22nd July as soon as possible.
— CalMac Service Info (@CalMac_Updates) July 21, 2022
CalMac wrote: “Due to an onboard emergency and awaiting emergency services, all remaining sailings are cancelled. There will be an update provided for service on Friday, 22nd July as soon as possible.”
Emergency services raced to the scene as passengers were evacuated from the ferry.
It is believed nearby boats were also evacuated as a precaution.
Around 8.35pm the operation was called off.
It has been reported, a police spokeswoman said it was not suspicious.
She said: “Police received a report of a package on board a ferry at Uig Ferry Terminal on Isle of Skye around 4.55pm on Thursday, July 21.
“Inquiries were carried out and it was established that the package was not suspicious.”
🔶 AMBER #Uig #Tarbert 22Jul Due to the vessel being out of position, the 07:20 departing Tarbert-Uig is cancelled. Service on this route will resume with the 14:10 departing Uig-Tarbert.
— CalMac Service Info (@CalMac_Updates) July 21, 2022
CalMac has reinstated a number of cancelled services following the incident.
The previously cancelled 4.45pm service from Uig to Lochmaddy departed at 9pm.
Services on Friday are also scheduled to be disrupted in the morning, with normal service expected to resume from 9.30am.
CalMac managing director Robbie Drummond said: “Due to a suspicious package found onboard the MV Hebrides this afternoon, passengers were evacuated and the emergency services were contacted. Police attended the scene and have now determined that the package is not suspicious.
“I wish to put on record my personal thanks to the CalMac staff for their first rate response in dealing with this situation and the emergency services for their prompt response and their invaluable assistance.
“I would also like to thank the passengers for their cooperation during this incident.”
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